I Need Some Advice About Downhill Please!!!!!!

[Legend Taylor]

I have just finished xc racing and now i'm want do downhill i know i will be good at it because i haven't got much fear so i just fly down the track with no worry's.
The thing is though i need some advice about my bike and bits e.t.c.
I've just bought a speacialized Rockhopper A1 FSR.
i have got some money for some upgrades and body protection but what do i get i've just bought a speacialized full face.
Do I need Just 1 chainring at the top?
What body armour is compusory?
Do i need Triple Clamps?
Where are the best tracks?
please help!!!!.

[Hunter]

Taylor,
First if you are not going to pedal back up the hill one chainring will do fine. However if you just want to muscle back up then one will do fine as well. Race Face, shimaNO XTR, Tru- Vativ, AC, and Profile, all make good DH cranks. However if you want the most bombproof DH crank get the Profile. I also would not worry about weight on a DH rig after all you are going down the heavier the better. As far as body armor Dainese, Fox, and Answer makes good stuff. IMHO I would go with Fox after all the make motocross stuff I do not think they make crap when it comes to this stuff. Triple clamps are a good idea for pedals as you are not locked in if you have to bail at 50+ mph. Odysey makes a pedal called the triple trap old school BMX guys used them and so did I. They also make a pedal called the Black Widow that is superb but GOD have mercy on your shins if you slip the pedal. Also GT platforms are good alot of slalom guys use them cause you can replace the spikes and get bigger ones if you want them. As far as the best tracks well IMHO any track that is long and steep and offers a ski lift back up to the top is good. After going down for awhile the last thing you want to do is pedal back up especially if you have a DH specific rig, because they climb like s**t. There are of course other options on pedals and other DH stuff but those are a few I could just rattle off. Hope this helps.

[KleinMp99]

I am thinking out loud here. From what u said, i take it that u are going to race and go off of big dropoffs. So i am thinking about why are you going to use the specialized fsr??? there just isnt enough travel to seriously go into downhilling. If i am wrong, please somebody tell me.

[Hunter]

I was not going to mention that but yes you are correct. However obviously he already has it.

[Buddy Hayden]

Mountainspeed make a upgrade kit for the FSR ,it includes fully sealed bearings for all pivots and a longer aluminum bracket which the bottom of the rear shock bolts up to. It increases the rear travel from std 4" to approx 6"and the sealed bearings eliminate any traces of "stiction"or static friction !,well worth looking into.. As far as a fork goes ,yes it would be a wise move to a triple clamp Or double triple clamp as there correctly known ,for their upper stiffness is greatly increased,A couple of years ago I used a Manitou X-Vert R that had 115 mm of travel,they had compression damping,rebound damping,preload ,and the TPC,they held up real well for sport class DH and now they can be picked up at most places quite cheap !! . I hope this helps you . Cheers , - Buddy